5 Handy Tips To Prepare Your Roof For The Florida Rainy Season

Your roof is probably designed to withstand heavy rains and other harsh weather conditions. However, even the best roofs can succumb to the devastating effects of damaging heavy rains over time.

Heavy rains can cause all kinds of damage to your roof. It gets worse when your roof has existing damages going into the rainy season.

As our roofing experts warn, heavy rains can:

• Compromises the structural integrity of the roof’s tiles causing them to break easily and allowing water to seep through. You wouldn’t want your roof leaking during the rainy season over damaged tiles.
• Cause decay and probable collapse of the entire roof when damaged tiles expose the roof’s wooden structure to moisture.
• Damage your roof’s guttering causing water to run through the walls and gather around the house’s foundation resulting in likely structural damage to the entire building.
• Damage to the roof compromises its drainage and causes water to stagnate. Stranded water on the roof will slowly scar the section of the roof which when left unattended can cause even bigger damage.

So how do you prepare your roof for the rainy season?

1. Conduct a full inspection of the roof before the rains

The safest way to ensure your roof is ready for the heavy rains is by having it inspected extensively by a professional licensed roofer. According to our experts, a full inspection entails:

• Examining physical signs of damage which include broken, aged, and sagging tiles. Damaged tiles are the weakest links on your roof and where rainwater is likely to penetrate to cause roof leaking and other aforementioned effects.
• Examine your roof’s drainage to ensure rainwater drains naturally to the gutters. As mentioned above, water stagnating on your roof can cause a lot of damage to the section of the roof.
• Inspect the roof’s waterproofing. Consider painting the entire roof if you’re convinced that the damage is extensive. The painting should be done before the rains to ensure it dries and is not washed away by the rainwater. We recommend using waterproof paint with sealants to solve minor leaking problems.

2. Replace missing, cracked, or damaged shingles after inspection

Shingles suffer the most from the adverse effects of the elements. Damaged shingles will certainly let rainwater in. After examining your roof and finding signs of damaged shingles, ensure they get replaced before the rains.

When your shingles are damaged it is only a matter of time before the roof’s wooden structure is compromised as well. It starts with one shingle, and before you know it you’re dealing with a massive leaking problem that could force you to seek accommodation elsewhere while your roof is repaired.

3. Clean your gutters going into the rainy season

Gutters play a crucial role in diverting rainwater from the roof through downspouts to designated areas away from the building’s foundation. Without a proper gutter system, rainwater will probably stagnate on the roof or slide through the exterior wall, wreaking havoc on the walls and the building’s foundation.

Clogged gutters don’t perform their role optimally and you could end up with rainwater damaging your roof, walls, and foundation. Remove any blockages in the entire gutter system – dry leaves and debris. Ensure water flows freely through the gutters to prevent the devastating effects discussed above.

4. Ensure your flashing are intact

The edges of your roofing where tiles couldn’t fit have been fitted with flashing to prevent water from entering. Flashing are usually metal sheets cut precisely to seal openings left at the edges of tiles on the roof.

Although flashing are hardly damaged by water and sunlight, it is possible that they may get detached over time and allow water to enter. Replace damaged flashing immediately before the rains start pouring.

5. Trim tree branches close to your home

Tree branches stretching to your roof or too close to the roof are the culprits for blocked gutters and stagnant water on the roof. Leaves and tree branches on the roof can cause rainwater to pool on the roof and gutters causing leaks.

Also, trees close to the building are likely to fall during a storm damaging the building or roof. It is advisable to trim trees close to your building before the rains to prevent possible tree falling or foliage piling on your roof.

Can’t tell the extent of damage on your roof?

You might not be able to tell the extent of damage on your roof and the repairs that need to be done immediately before the rains start. In this case, it is important to get a professional opinion from experienced roofers.

Prime Roofing experts are at your service in case you need a third eye to examine your roof. We carry out full inspections and advise you accordingly based on our findings. Call us today at (904) 530-1446 to schedule your free estimate.